Page 249 - 2019 6th AFIS & ASMMA

Nations, and the social role and public interest of finance are emerging Congratulatory Remarks
as top priority across the globe. In line with this trend, the Korean
government has emphasized strengthening financial inclusion and Ceremony Opening
housing safety net.
Keo-don Oh
Each session of this Summit will focus on where the mortgage and Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City
secondary mortgage markets should be headed for the long-term, in
the face of such changes of the housing finance environment. The
activation of fixed income distribution market is a part of reducing
financial burden, and enhancing financial stability for those without Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I am Keo-
home-ownership, or actual residents. And the reverse mortgage system don Oh, mayor of Busan metropolitan city. I would like to begin by
is clearly emphasized as a practical solution to the challenges of aging expressing my gratitude to Mr. Jung Hwan Lee, CEO of Korea Housing
population and housing stability. Last but not least, Environmental, Finance Corporation, for hosting this major international conference on
Social and Governance bond will be discussed for the first time in AFIS, Housing Finance in Busan. Let me extend my sincerest congratulations
which will be giving us a good opportunity to expand the secondary on the opening of AFIS and ASMMA annual meeting. Today we are
market into society as a whole.
joined by Mr. Luca Bertalot, Secretary General of ECBC, and many
leading international financial experts and officers from housing financial
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that today’s institutions in Asia. My warmest welcome to you all to the beautiful
conference will serve as a good opportunity for constructive and maritime city of Busan.
forward-looking discussions in developing the role of mortgage finance.
Once again, thank you very much for your participation. I wish you a Busan has many advantages to become a future global finance hub.
fruitful discussion. Thank you.
First, Busan is a financial hub designated by the Korean government
along with the capital city of Seoul. In the beginning, we had neither
hardware nor software infrastructure to effectively support the financial
industry. However, today we have the Busan International Finance
Center. BIFC is a 63-floor building, which hosts 30 public institutions
and private businesses related to finance. I am proud that the BIFC has
become the largest cluster for financial institutions in Korea. Second,
Busan is a global logistics hub. We boost the global competitiveness and
network as a home to the second largest container trans-shipment port
and the number sixth city in terms of container cargo volume. Third,
Busan was designated as a special designation zone for blockchain by the
national government last July. It is true that the blockchain technology

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